Hi all!
As we move through early development of our upcoming MMO, codename: Annex, we will be providing consistent playtest updates occurring in the Project Existence Testing Environment here on Steam. This will allow you who participate in and/or following our progress (thanks, by the way!) a way to track what we've done, what we're doing and give you more opportunities to share your thoughts on features, systems and test scenarios we're implementing.
With that said, here is our most recent Project Existence Playtest Update.
MARCH 3, 2023 PLAYEST
GOAL / DESCRIPTION
To place more emphasis on the player experience. We have historically been very technology-focused, particularly on refining the sandbox functionality.
In this playtest, We began by defining a few player-centric KPIs to see what our expectations were and how we could measure against them.
The first goal was centered around a new player experience, were a few predefined
steps needed to be completed by our playtest group in order to achieve a goal. The nature of the goal incentivized participants to work together in a collaborative "monument" building mission.
For now, we're using the term monument to reference in-game objects/locations of larger importance which can be interfaced with, either via rebuilding, reactivating, etc. utilizing the collaborative work of players in the world. Monuments will require varying levels of group participation to meet the triggers assigned to their function in the game world.
An important part of building/rebuilding a monument is gathering and processing the resources needed to do so, which required our playtesters to build outposts, and harvest the materials they need to apply toward building of the monument. In this case, a satellite dish.
The playtest was conducted on our public servers with our internal team, and the participation of a group of trusted community members.
RESULTS
As a whole, the playtest was successful. Playtesters where engaged by the goal, and even though
the amount of functionality available was limited (advanced buildings, supply chain items, etc.) we saw the underlying system pushing our players toward the collaborative elements at the foundation of what our completed game will be, and vitally important, these were perceived positively.
ANALYTICS
TEAM RETROSPECTIVE / GAMEPLAY FEEDBACK
We reviewed all the data from this playtest and came up with a list of issues to tackle. This feedback will be integrated into the plan for the next playtest:
● More clarification on how to harvest
● The need to place a harvester not obvious enough (people placed outpost marker and waited)
● Clarification on how close you need to be to trees to harvest them
● Need for a clear progression interface for the monument
● Tutorial prompts easily missed (satellite dish interaction for example)
● Objectives not obvious when they update / add a new one
● Relationship of outpost and harvester needs clarity
● Clearer indication of how outpost and harvester contribute toward monument
● Regrowth of resources too quick? Turn off to incentivize players to move around/gather more
● Incentive to team up with others and visualize the reward for doing so
● Motivation of the player in the world - why do A + B to get C?
OUTRO
Our next playtest will occur on 3/16/23 at 1:15 GMT. We more than welcome anyone who wishes to jump in with us and participate. If you aren't already, you can also join the Project Existence Discord.
We'll be providing further updates like this after most of our playtests, so keep an eye out for the latest. Also, feedback is welcome! We appreciate your contributions, and hope you'll participate in this journey with us.
- Arctic Theory